Happy Labor Day weekend, #ChamberWorld! It's going to be a GREAT weekend!
Accreditation Self-Analysis Survey for Local Chambers of Commerce
Please use the following checklist to determine if you're ready to apply for accreditation.
Governance
- Does the chamber have an article of incorporation or a charter?
- Is the chamber's mission statement clear and feasible?
- Bylaws:
- Do they regulate the main areas of chamber management;
- Are they considered to be adequate for the laws of the state to the protection of both the chamber and its members; and
- Have they been shared with the board?
- Organizational Structure: Is it clear and appropriate to the chamber's size and goals? Has the chamber developed an organization chart depicting flow of information and hierarchy?
- Are there appropriate term limits and job descriptions in place for the board of directors?
- Are board meetings held on a regular basis and are minutes kept on file?
- Does a review process exist to evaluate the performance of officers and directors?
- Are the proper committees in place for the chamber to meet goals?
Finance
- Does the chamber meet generally accepted accounting practices? (GAAP)
- Are the chamber's financial policies and procedures documented in a manual?
- Is an annual operational budget in place (including costs for all programs, management and fundraising) and is it approved by the board?
- Does the board of directors review and approve all financial statements?
- Does the chamber maintain current financial statements?
- Does the chamber maintain liability insurance or director and officer insurance?
- Does the chamber meet the Accreditation standards for conducting an audit?
- Chambers with revenue below $500,000 must:
- Conduct an annual review by a certified financial firm
- Conduct an audit every three years
- Chambers with revenue of more than $500,000 must:
- Conduct an annual review by a certified financial firm
- Conduct an audit every other year
- Chambers with revenue below $500,000 must:
- Does the chamber meet IRS and state filing requirements?
- Does the chamber withhold and report taxes from employee paychecks to the IRS and state and local government?
Human Resources and Staff
- Are there distinct roles and job descriptions set up for staff?
- Does staff understand the chamber's mission and program of action?
- Are personnel policies in place and current?
- Does the chamber meet federal and state regulations regarding employees?
Government Affairs
- Does the chamber have a systematic procedure in place to identify government affairs issues critical to the business community?
- Does the chamber create a legislative agenda and share it with the membership?
- Does the chamber communicate its positions on priority issues with elected officials?
- Does the chamber actively share state/U.S. Chamber information with its members?
- Has the chamber established a grassroots network?
Program Development
- Does the chamber understand issues and needs important to all segments of the membership?
- Does the chamber collect member feedback at least annually?
- Does the chamber provide an annual report to its members?
- Has the chamber developed a strategic plan or business plan for the current year?
- Does the chamber understand the impending factors that will affect the chamber?
Technology
- Does the chamber have functioning telephone, computer, and mailing systems?
- Does the chamber keep its computer systems current and secure?
- Does the chamber use anti-virus software?
- Does the chamber have a membership database that can track membership information, dues, participation?
- Does the chamber back up data regularly?
- Has the chamber developed a data protection and privacy policy?
- Does the chamber have a Web site that is updated regularly?
- Is the chamber's Web site registered on Web site search engines?
Communications
- Has the chamber developed a written communications and marketing plan with clear annual goals?
- Does the chamber use diverse forms of media to promote the chamber?
- Does the chamber contact members at least monthly?
- Does the chamber's Web site communicate general information about the chamber?
- Can the chamber communicate with members using mass-distribution e-mails?
- Does the chamber comply with federal CAN-SPAM requirements?
- Does the chamber issue press releases to local and regional media outlets?
Facilities
- Does the chamber's facility project an appropriate business image, and is the facility accessible by the public?
- Does the chambers facility support the chamber’s communications and technology capabilities?
- Is the workplace kept neat, clean and free of potential safety hazards
- Is the workplace inspected annually by a safety professional?
- Does the chamber facility meet accepted OSHA regulations?
- Is a crisis plan in place?
- Are employees trained or educated about the crisis plan?
If you answered no to any of these questions, you are not ready to apply for accreditation.
Accreditation with the United States Chamber of Commerce is the only program of its kind that defines excellence in chamber planning and recognizes chambers for outstanding contributions toward positive change in their communities. The purpose of the U.S. Chamber's Accreditation Program is to facilitate continuing excellence in the chamber industry and to foster a pro-business environment across America.
Access the June 2018 Accreditation statistics here:
June 2018 Accredited Chambers (83.65 KB)
Who is Accredited?
There are over 850 chambers that have participated in the program since 1964. Currently, 204 chambers carry this distinction. With approximately 7,000 chambers in the United States, Accreditation with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is a prestigious honor that distinguishes the high quality, expertise, and strong leadership displayed by Accredited state and local chambers of commerce.
There are over 850 chambers that have participated in the program since 1964. Currently, 204 chambers carry this distinction. With approximately 7,000 chambers in the United States, Accreditation with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is a prestigious honor that distinguishes the high quality, expertise, and strong leadership displayed by Accredited state and local chambers of commerce.
Why become Accredited?
By earning Accreditation from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, a chamber shows its dedication to:
Reviewing, improving, and promoting strong business practices
Recognizing leadership and outstanding contributions to the community
Supporting the principles of free enterprise and promoting pro-growth policies at federal, state, and local levels
Establishing best practices and staying in-step with industry changes
Are you ready to apply for Accreditation?
#Chamberdelight - Chamber serving Lexington, Buena Vista, And Rockbridge County: 24th Annual Rockbridge Beer & Wine Festival
Date: September 8, 2018
Time: 12:00 PM - 7:00 PM EDT
Website: GET TICKETS
Community Development Foundation (CDF) chairman
Howell Area Chamber of Commerce’s hosts Business to Business Expo appealing to purchasing agents and hiring managers
www.howell.org
Wine and Brew Fest to take over Main Street Friday in Downtown Washington
Downtown Washington will be the place to be Friday night when the Daviess County Chamber of Commerce Wine and Brew Fest takes over Main Street.
Cambridge Area Chamber of Commerce hosts MadRep
Winners revealed for outstanding Illinois economic development projects – the Edies Awards
SPRINGFIELD, August 20, 2018 – The Illinois Chamber of Commerce in collaboration with
the Illinois Economic Development Association (IEDA) is releasing the names of the winners
of the 10th Annual Economic Development in Illinois Awards – the Edies.
The Edies honor outstanding economic development projects completed in the calendar
year of 2017 that bring jobs, growth and prosperity to Illinois communities.
“There were a variety of impressive economic development projects submitted this year.
The Illinois Chamber of Commerce congratulates the Edie Award project winners and thanks
them for their commitment and investment in Illinois’ future,” said Illinois Chamber of
Commerce President and CEO Todd Maisch.
This year’s Edie Awards were supported by IEDA and sponsored by Nicor Gas.
“It’s energizing to see so many wonderful projects submitted statewide. These winners are
what make Illinois prosper and grow. Congratulations!” said Kim Pierce, Chairwoman of the
Illinois Economic Development Association.
In recognition of a special application, the Edie Award Committee created a new distinction
for the 2018 Edie’s to recognize an organization for exceptional methods in economic
development. The Edie’s are proud to award the EDIE Organizational Innovator Award this
year.
The five EDIE project winners are:
CSL Behring (Kankakee) – CSL is a global biotherapeutics leader driven to save and improve
lives by developing and delivering innovative biotherapies for patients with rare and serious
diseases. To meet the growing need for lifesaving and life-improving therapies and increase
production, CSL replaced their aging fractionation building with a new state-of-the-art
facility. Called Project Everest, the facility will take plasma received from the CSL Plasma
collection centers and process it into products that can be further refined on site, as well as
at their sister plants in Australia, Germany, and Switzerland. The largest industrial employer
in Kankakee County, the project has created 88 jobs.
For more information about the Illinois Chamber of Commerce, visit: ILChamber.org
###
Devanco Foods (Carol Stream) – Devanco is a USDA certified food manufacturing company
that specializes in gyros, Italian beef, sausage, and other food products. The company had
outgrown its old facility and saw a need to relocate its’ business from Elk Grove Village to a
new manufacturing facility in Carol Stream to achieve a high level of food certification and
expand their retail product line. They invested $16.5 million in the new 93,000 square foot
facility and have plans for further growth in the U.S. and international markets. To operate
the new facility, this project retained the 80 full-time employees and added 40 new
positions ranging from sales to quality control.
Illinois Tollway (Hanover Park to Wood Dale) – Investments in infrastructure provide
significant economic growth for communities. The Illinois Tollway’s $780 million investment
in the new Illinois Route 390 Tollway from Hanover Park to Wood Dale has provided
improved mobility and access for residents and businesses in the area. Greater movement
to and from the O’Hare region has unlocked economic potential, making the area more
attractive to a variety of businesses, especially freight and manufacturing firms. The 10-mile
project created 6,200 construction related jobs over the course of the project. The Tollway
was nominated by the GOA Regional Business Association.
John Boos Co. (Effingham) – John Boos & Co is well known for their gourmet Boos Block
cutting boards that are featured in notable venues as well as featured on cooking shows.
John Boos relocated their business to a larger facility to facilitate additional growth in its
service to the gourmet, residential, food service and industrial markets. This $16 million
investment in their state of the art facility exhibits their long-term commitment to
Effingham and employing over 250 area residents. The Effingham County Chamber of
Commerce nominated this project.
Magna International (Belvidere) – Magna International is a mobility technology company
and one of the world’s largest automotive suppliers with 339 manufacturing operations and
89 product development, engineering and sales centers in 28 countries. Through strong
community, government, and private industry collaboration, Magna built a new facility to
manufacture exterior products for Fiat Chrysler Automotive’s Jeep Cherokee. Magna
invested $42 million in new construction in Belvidere and nearly doubled the number of
employees hired – from 460 full-time employees to more than 900. This significant
investment has spurred downstream growth in the area. Magna is also committed to
working with industry and workforce partners to address the skills gap in skilled trades,
providing workforce program graduates job opportunities at its facility. Magna was
nominated by Growth Dimensions.
EDIE Organizational Innovator Award Winner:
Chicago Regional Growth Corporation (Northeast Illinois) — The Chicago Regional Growth
Corporation (CRGC) is a model for best economic development practices and has received
recognition from the Edie awards for outstanding work promoting the Chicago region to
world. Prompted from a need to formally manage various economic development
initiatives across the seven-county region, leaders from Northeastern Illinois created CRGC
to provide an organization that could identify and execute on opportunities to drive
inclusive economic growth and prosperity across the region. Through CRGC’s leadership,
the region will speak and act with one voice.
For more information about the Illinois Chamber of Commerce, visit: ILChamber.org
Town Square Publications Chamber Membership Directories and Community Profiles: The best in the U.S.
Town Square Publications, a division of the Daily Herald Media Group, is a national chamber custom publishing group that specializes in developing partnerships by producing high-quality print and digitally integrated publications along with other added value programs dedicated to creating relevancy for local chambers of commerce and other membership focused organizations interested in raising non-dues revenues.
Town Square Publications parent company, Paddock Publications, has over 100 years’ experience of print product development and dedicated customer service in communities throughout the Midwest. Our experience allows Town Square Publications to offer you attractive royalty and non-dues revenue share streams, provide direct distribution of your custom designed printed publications, including digital and mobile integration, and all with the quickest turn-around times available in the industry. Town Square also offers multi-media maps in both print and online formats, both with our No-Cost guarantee. More information: Town Square Publications
Chambers of Commerce and member focused organizations serve as a valuable resource in the local marketplace. The networking opportunities and representation with a wide variety of diverse businesses in your community is the catalyst of a successful organization. For further information about Town Square's publishing partnership with chambers of commerce and our No-Cost guarantee and Earned Revenue Share Program, To request your chamber publication or map proposal, contact Town Square Chamber Proposal
Questions? Contact:
Ali Ehrlich, IOM, CAE
Director of Operations
Political Affairs & Federation Relations
aehrlich@uschamber.com
202-463-5760
Director of Operations
Political Affairs & Federation Relations
aehrlich@uschamber.com
202-463-5760
#Chamberdelight - Chamber serving Lexington, Buena Vista, And Rockbridge County: 24th Annual Rockbridge Beer & Wine Festival
Date: September 8, 2018
Time: 12:00 PM - 7:00 PM EDT
Website: GET TICKETS
Event Description:
The 24th Annual Rockbridge Beer & Wine Festival returns to Lime Kiln Theater on Saturday, September 8, 2018! Enjoy craft beer and cider, regional wines and local food while listening to live music on two stages all afternoon!
Get your tickets early, because only a limited number will be sold this year!
Taster: $30
Taster tickets include unlimited tastings of beer and wine, plus souvenir tasting glasses for both!
VIP: $50
Be a festival VIP and get unlimited tastings of beer and wine, souvenir tasting glasses and special access to the pavilion with complimentary food and drink!
Friend of the Festival: $125
You or your business can become a Friend of the Festival! The FOF package includes 2 VIP tickets, plus your name included on signage at the event!
Non-Taster: $15
Like our Facebook page for all of the details leading up to the event!
Advance tickets available for pick-up through Thursday, September 6 or at will-call on the day of the event.
Live Music on Two Stages
Volunteer at the festival and receive free admission! Sign up online!
Lake County Chamber of Commerce 2018 Community Guide & Membership Directory
The Lake County Chamber of Commerce 2018 Community Guide & Membership Directory is available at the Lake County Chamber! Thanks to Sedrik Newbern, Julieth and the chamber team for their help and direction putting this together!
Lake County Chamber of Commerce 2018 Community Guide & Membership Directory
Town SquarePublications (www.townsquarepublications.com) can help you accomplish your chamber's gloss map, directory, community profile or publication needs at no expense to the chamber. Please email John Dussman at jdussman@tspubs.com or call (847)-427-4633.
Speaker of the House David Osborne Presented with Chamber MVP Award
On Thursday, Kentucky Chamber President and CEO Dave Adkisson presented Speaker of the House David Osborne of Prospect with the Chamber MVP Award. Speaker Osborne was among a select group of legislators who “went to bat” for Kentucky business during the 2018 Kentucky General Assembly.
“During this high-profile legislative session and his 13 years in office, Rep. Osborne has been a strong friend to the Chamber and to the business community,” said Kentucky Chamber President and CEO Dave Adkisson. “Speaker Osborne demonstrated leadership for key business issues including passing a budget that prioritizes education funding, pension reform that puts Kentucky on a path toward sustainability, and tax reform that improves Kentucky’s competitiveness.”
In addition to monitoring the progress of bills that create a better business climate and advance the Commonwealth, the Chamber tracks how each legislator votes on these bills. The Chamber’s MVP award recipients displayed more than just a business-friendly voting record, but also went out of their way, and at times across party lines, to support or oppose an issue critical to the business climate in Kentucky.
To see how these and other legislators voted on business issues during the 2018 Kentucky General Assembly view the Chamber’s Results for Business publication here.
Get your tickets early, because only a limited number will be sold this year!
Taster: $30
Taster tickets include unlimited tastings of beer and wine, plus souvenir tasting glasses for both!
VIP: $50
Be a festival VIP and get unlimited tastings of beer and wine, souvenir tasting glasses and special access to the pavilion with complimentary food and drink!
Friend of the Festival: $125
You or your business can become a Friend of the Festival! The FOF package includes 2 VIP tickets, plus your name included on signage at the event!
Non-Taster: $15
Like our Facebook page for all of the details leading up to the event!
Advance tickets available for pick-up through Thursday, September 6 or at will-call on the day of the event.
Live Music on Two Stages
Volunteer at the festival and receive free admission! Sign up online!
Lake County Chamber of Commerce 2018 Community Guide & Membership Directory
The Lake County Chamber of Commerce 2018 Community Guide & Membership Directory is available at the Lake County Chamber! Thanks to Sedrik Newbern, Julieth and the chamber team for their help and direction putting this together!
Lake County Chamber of Commerce 2018 Community Guide & Membership Directory
Town SquarePublications (www.townsquarepublications.com) can help you accomplish your chamber's gloss map, directory, community profile or publication needs at no expense to the chamber. Please email John Dussman at jdussman@tspubs.com or call (847)-427-4633.
Speaker of the House David Osborne Presented with Chamber MVP Award
On Thursday, Kentucky Chamber President and CEO Dave Adkisson presented Speaker of the House David Osborne of Prospect with the Chamber MVP Award. Speaker Osborne was among a select group of legislators who “went to bat” for Kentucky business during the 2018 Kentucky General Assembly.
“During this high-profile legislative session and his 13 years in office, Rep. Osborne has been a strong friend to the Chamber and to the business community,” said Kentucky Chamber President and CEO Dave Adkisson. “Speaker Osborne demonstrated leadership for key business issues including passing a budget that prioritizes education funding, pension reform that puts Kentucky on a path toward sustainability, and tax reform that improves Kentucky’s competitiveness.”
In addition to monitoring the progress of bills that create a better business climate and advance the Commonwealth, the Chamber tracks how each legislator votes on these bills. The Chamber’s MVP award recipients displayed more than just a business-friendly voting record, but also went out of their way, and at times across party lines, to support or oppose an issue critical to the business climate in Kentucky.
To see how these and other legislators voted on business issues during the 2018 Kentucky General Assembly view the Chamber’s Results for Business publication here.
Community Development Foundation (CDF) chairman
As president of one of the largest construction companies in the South, Jerry Maxcy has a big-picture view of the economy not only in the region, but across the nation.
As chairman of the Community Development Foundation, he helps set the tone for the economic development group that recruits and retains business and industry not just for Tupelo and Lee County, but also for the rest of Northeast Mississippi.
But Maxcy sees CDF as more than an economic development tool.
“It’s really a catalyst for a lot of things,” he said. “There’s the Chamber of Commerce within the CDF that drive a lot of the leadership programs that a lot of business utilize. There are the lunch-and-learn programs and the high-energy Ignite conference we had and which we’ll have again in January.”
Maxcy said the primary mission of CDF hasn’t changed, no matter who happens to be the chairman.
“CDF continues to recruit industry, secure buildable sites and help benefit not just Lee County, but all of the region with high-paying jobs,” he said.
And CDF leadership has nothing but high praise for Maxcy, who has taken a very active role in the organization.
“Jerry brings a well-seasoned depth of experience with him, having served on the board and executive committee and as chairman of last year’s governance committee,” said David Rumbarger, president and CEO of the CDF. “He has already made the organization more efficient and progressive.
“With the economy and prospect activity trending up, his experience in the industrial sector will be a valuable asset. He is a hard-working leader and has the right business values and drive with any task he takes on. We’re in for a great year with Jerry helping move the community ahead.”
Maxcy heads a construction company, JESCO, that has successfully operated for more than 75 years.
JESCO, started in 1941 by Joseph E. Staub as a remodeling business, has grown into a $200 million-plus company, one of the largest in the South.
In 1973, the company changed its name to JESCO Inc. to better reflect its range of services, including general construction, industrial services, millwright-maintenance, steel fabrication, mechanical-electrical, design and more. Since 1999, the company has been a wholly owned subsidiary of the Philadelphia, Mississippi-based Yates Companies. Read more: Daily Journal
Howell Area Chamber of Commerce’s hosts Business to Business Expo appealing to purchasing agents and hiring managers
Pairing local businesses to hire and support each other is a member service of the Howell Area Chamber of Commerce. This year, the chamber is looking forward to hosting the annual Business to Business Expo on Tuesday, September 11, 2018 from 9am-11:30am at Cleary University’s Johnson Center. This expo is intended to pair business decision makers with nearly 50 local businesses who provide services and products directly to businesses. Business to Business Expo exhibitor spaces are exclusive to Howell Chamber members, but all purchasing agents and hiring managers are invited to shop and consult with local exhibitors. Shop local. Hire local. Create a stronger local business community.
Fun features of the EXPO include:
Specialty Coffee Bar provided by First Choice Coffee Services
Workplace Wellness Food Tips & Tricks with Renee Chodkowski, The Great Foodini
FREE Headshots to the first 5 guests at Richard Lim Photography’s booth (EXPO special deal: $50 for business headshots for EXPO guests)
Proud Sponsor of the 2018 Business to Business Expo is First Impression Print & Marketing.
Tuesday, September 11, 2018
9am – 11:30am
Cleary University Johnson Center
GUEST ADMISSION IS FREE! Consult and hire locally on the spot.
Guests will enjoy refreshments, give-aways, goodie bags chances to win raffle items with nearly every exhibitor.
More information: Jessica Wicks
Communications Manager
Howell Area Chamber of Commerce
517.546.3920 office
517.546.4115 fax
Wine and Brew Fest to take over Main Street Friday in Downtown Washington
Open from 5 to 10 p.m., the festival will feature not only Hoosier wineries and breweries but also live entertainment, food vendors and more.
“It’s that time again, the time for one of the biggest events that the Chamber puts on each year,” said Samantha Bobbitt, executive director of the Daviess County Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau. “We have a great list of entertainment for the evening and we are excited to have food vendors who will be located in the parking lot at the corner of Second Street and Main across from Meredith Park Plaza.”
Those food vendors include Little Boondock Concessions, Big Al’s BBQ, Thainamite, Tony’s Taco’s, Trailer Treats, Twisted Toaster, Horton’s Fish and Three Chicks Fudgery.
Wineries and breweries attending the festivities include Easley, Windy Knoll, First Miracle, Huckleberry and Hunter’s Ridge and Schnitz, Carson and Vincennes breweries.
Tasting tickets for those 21 and over can be purchased near the Daviess County Economic Development Foundation at Third and Main streets.
“The RSVP ladies will be selling the tickets for us,” Bobbitt said, adding tickets are $10 for a special glass and eight tasting tickets. “Don’t forget your ID because you will have to have it to get your bracelet. Additional tickets can be purchased for $1 each and when you get your bracelet. Don’t forget your ticket so you can vote for the classic car contest in the 100 block of Main.”
Votes for the car contest can be cast until 6 p.m.
“At 5:30 a local band, A Brave New Wave, will play at the Gazebo,” she said. “Also playing at 7:30 will be 2 Miles Back, a band from Owensboro.”
Bobbitt said there will also be 11 local vendors selling a variety of items.
Bobbitt said the 2018 edition of the Wine and Brew Fest will be the last to be held on Friday night.
“Next year, it will be the last weekend, on Sept. 28, 2019, on a Saturday and it will run from 2 until 10 p.m. We hope by moving the festival to later in the year, we will enjoy cooler temperatures and may increase our participation because it will not fall in the same time as a holiday,” she said. Read more: Washington Times Herald
The new Wyoming-Kentwood Chamber of Commerce 2017 Community Map is available at the Wyoming-Kentwood Chamber today! Thanks to Bob O'Callaghan and the chamber team for their help and direction putting this together!
Town SquarePublications (www.townsquarepublications.com) can help you accomplish your chamber's gloss map, directory, community guide or publication needs at no expense to the chamber. Please email John Dussman at jdussman@tspubs.com or call (847)-427-4633.
Wyoming-Kentwood Chamber of Commerce 2017 Community Map
The new Wyoming-Kentwood Chamber of Commerce 2017 Community Map is available at the Wyoming-Kentwood Chamber today! Thanks to Bob O'Callaghan and the chamber team for their help and direction putting this together!
Town SquarePublications (www.townsquarepublications.com) can help you accomplish your chamber's gloss map, directory, community guide or publication needs at no expense to the chamber. Please email John Dussman at jdussman@tspubs.com or call (847)-427-4633.
Cambridge Area Chamber of Commerce hosts MadRep
On Monday, Aug.13 the Cambridge Area Chamber of Commerce hosted a presentation by the Madison Region Economic Partnership (MadREP). The free event at the Amundson Community Center was attended by local government and business representatives.
MadREP President Paul Jadin and Gene Dalhoff , vice president of Talent and Education, provided an overview of the ways they could help spur economic development in Cambridge.
MadREP fills an important role in Wisconsin’s economic development landscape, serving as a partner and collaborator to the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation and other state agencies, as well as economic development initiatives within counties, municipalities, chambers of commerce, and the private sector.
A few examples of its services include:
• Targeted business attraction via outreach to site selection professionals and in response to prospect inquiries
• Strategic development of target industries, including agriculture, information technology, life sciences, healthcare, and advanced manufacturing
• Delivery and analysis of economic data that affects the Madison region
• Mapping of industry supply chains to identify and address gaps, disconnects, and opportunities
• Support of physical innovative spaces and expansion of entrepreneurship resources across the region
• Technical assistance to entrepreneurs, including help with market valuation, market position, and value proposition.
Of particular interest to Cambridge attendees was MadREP’s work with site selection professionals who are charged with locating a site for a business. This part focuses primarily on ‘shovel ready’ industrial sites. There is also an opportunity for building owners to have empty buildings listed on the site selection map which identifies communities with space available for lease or sale. Read more: Cambridge News & Deerfield Independent
Acquisition makes Town Square Publications country's largest publisher of chamber guides
(reprinted from March 2, 2018) --- Town Square Publications, a subsidiary of Paddock Publications Inc., announced it has purchased the assets of Nashville-based SouthComm Publishing.
The custom publishing division for chamber of commerce magazines of SouthComm Inc., also based in Nashville, has been a significant competitor of Paddock's Town Square Publications since Paddock entered the chamber of commerce specialty publications business nearly 10 years ago. The acquisition expands Town Square's national footprint, particularly in Arizona, Texas, Oklahoma, Virginia and Florida, making it the largest publisher of chamber of commerce magazines and directories in the country.
The custom publishing division for chamber of commerce magazines of SouthComm Inc., also based in Nashville, has been a significant competitor of Paddock's Town Square Publications since Paddock entered the chamber of commerce specialty publications business nearly 10 years ago. The acquisition expands Town Square's national footprint, particularly in Arizona, Texas, Oklahoma, Virginia and Florida, making it the largest publisher of chamber of commerce magazines and directories in the country.
Details of the transaction are not being disclosed. As the operations of SouthComm Publishing and Town Square are so closely aligned, the transition for chamber publishing partners should be seamless, said Paddock Publications President and Chief Operations Officer Scott Stone. No interruption in magazine sales or deliveries is anticipated.
For Paddock, this is the fourth major acquisition of a chamber publishing company's assets in the past four years. The others include: Village Profile of Elgin, CommunityLink of Pinckneyville and Lawton Publishing of Spokane, Washington.
"The SouthComm acquisition is in keeping with the company's strategic plan to grow Paddock's business in new and different ways," said Douglas K. Ray, Chairman, CEO and Publisher. "The decision to expand into the nondaily newspaper business has proved to be an excellent one, as the company's niche divisions are contributing nicely to the overall revenue and profitability of Paddock Publications."
Town Square began developing chamber publishing partnerships in Chicago, the suburbs and neighboring states. Today, Town Square works with chambers of commerce across the country to secure advertising sales for and product development of community guides and chamber directories.
Town Square also has recently begun working with convention and visitor bureaus on development of their magazine-quality custom publications.
"SouthComm Publishing was a strong competitor to Town Square for many years, and this acquisition broadens our profile from coast to coast," Stone said. "It reaffirms us as the top chamber publishing company in the country."
Paddock Publications has been a family-owned business since 1872. In addition to the Daily Herald, dailyherald.com and Town Square, Paddock's product suite includes Reflejos, Business Ledger, a large array of niche publications, a community newspaper group serving central and southern Illinois and a commercial printing operation in Schaumburg. Read more: Daily Herald
Winners revealed for outstanding Illinois economic development projects – the Edies Awards
SPRINGFIELD, August 20, 2018 – The Illinois Chamber of Commerce in collaboration with
the Illinois Economic Development Association (IEDA) is releasing the names of the winners
of the 10th Annual Economic Development in Illinois Awards – the Edies.
The Edies honor outstanding economic development projects completed in the calendar
year of 2017 that bring jobs, growth and prosperity to Illinois communities.
“There were a variety of impressive economic development projects submitted this year.
The Illinois Chamber of Commerce congratulates the Edie Award project winners and thanks
them for their commitment and investment in Illinois’ future,” said Illinois Chamber of
Commerce President and CEO Todd Maisch.
This year’s Edie Awards were supported by IEDA and sponsored by Nicor Gas.
“It’s energizing to see so many wonderful projects submitted statewide. These winners are
what make Illinois prosper and grow. Congratulations!” said Kim Pierce, Chairwoman of the
Illinois Economic Development Association.
In recognition of a special application, the Edie Award Committee created a new distinction
for the 2018 Edie’s to recognize an organization for exceptional methods in economic
development. The Edie’s are proud to award the EDIE Organizational Innovator Award this
year.
The five EDIE project winners are:
CSL Behring (Kankakee) – CSL is a global biotherapeutics leader driven to save and improve
lives by developing and delivering innovative biotherapies for patients with rare and serious
diseases. To meet the growing need for lifesaving and life-improving therapies and increase
production, CSL replaced their aging fractionation building with a new state-of-the-art
facility. Called Project Everest, the facility will take plasma received from the CSL Plasma
collection centers and process it into products that can be further refined on site, as well as
at their sister plants in Australia, Germany, and Switzerland. The largest industrial employer
in Kankakee County, the project has created 88 jobs.
For more information about the Illinois Chamber of Commerce, visit: ILChamber.org
###
Devanco Foods (Carol Stream) – Devanco is a USDA certified food manufacturing company
that specializes in gyros, Italian beef, sausage, and other food products. The company had
outgrown its old facility and saw a need to relocate its’ business from Elk Grove Village to a
new manufacturing facility in Carol Stream to achieve a high level of food certification and
expand their retail product line. They invested $16.5 million in the new 93,000 square foot
facility and have plans for further growth in the U.S. and international markets. To operate
the new facility, this project retained the 80 full-time employees and added 40 new
positions ranging from sales to quality control.
Illinois Tollway (Hanover Park to Wood Dale) – Investments in infrastructure provide
significant economic growth for communities. The Illinois Tollway’s $780 million investment
in the new Illinois Route 390 Tollway from Hanover Park to Wood Dale has provided
improved mobility and access for residents and businesses in the area. Greater movement
to and from the O’Hare region has unlocked economic potential, making the area more
attractive to a variety of businesses, especially freight and manufacturing firms. The 10-mile
project created 6,200 construction related jobs over the course of the project. The Tollway
was nominated by the GOA Regional Business Association.
John Boos Co. (Effingham) – John Boos & Co is well known for their gourmet Boos Block
cutting boards that are featured in notable venues as well as featured on cooking shows.
John Boos relocated their business to a larger facility to facilitate additional growth in its
service to the gourmet, residential, food service and industrial markets. This $16 million
investment in their state of the art facility exhibits their long-term commitment to
Effingham and employing over 250 area residents. The Effingham County Chamber of
Commerce nominated this project.
Magna International (Belvidere) – Magna International is a mobility technology company
and one of the world’s largest automotive suppliers with 339 manufacturing operations and
89 product development, engineering and sales centers in 28 countries. Through strong
community, government, and private industry collaboration, Magna built a new facility to
manufacture exterior products for Fiat Chrysler Automotive’s Jeep Cherokee. Magna
invested $42 million in new construction in Belvidere and nearly doubled the number of
employees hired – from 460 full-time employees to more than 900. This significant
investment has spurred downstream growth in the area. Magna is also committed to
working with industry and workforce partners to address the skills gap in skilled trades,
providing workforce program graduates job opportunities at its facility. Magna was
nominated by Growth Dimensions.
EDIE Organizational Innovator Award Winner:
Chicago Regional Growth Corporation (Northeast Illinois) — The Chicago Regional Growth
Corporation (CRGC) is a model for best economic development practices and has received
recognition from the Edie awards for outstanding work promoting the Chicago region to
world. Prompted from a need to formally manage various economic development
initiatives across the seven-county region, leaders from Northeastern Illinois created CRGC
to provide an organization that could identify and execute on opportunities to drive
inclusive economic growth and prosperity across the region. Through CRGC’s leadership,
the region will speak and act with one voice.
For more information about the Illinois Chamber of Commerce, visit: ILChamber.org
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